North American Transportation Security Center Project hosts representatives of the Singapore government on Singapore’s Hazmat Transport Vehicle Tracking System

Date:  September 17, 2009

On September 16, 2009, the University of Kentucky's North American Transportation Security Center Project hosted representatives of the Singapore government on Singapore’s Hazmat Transport Vehicle Tracking System (HTVTS) at the University of Kentucky’s campus at the Hilary J. Boone Center. 

Representatives from NIHS, GHIS, ASTRATA, Advantage Factory, ColdStream Digital, General Dynamics and the University of Kentucky were in attendance.
 
The presenters were Mr. Jackson J.S. Lim of Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs and Lt. Col. Teong How Hwa of the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF).  Before his current posting, Mr. Lim was the Assistant Commissioner of the Singapore Civil Defense Force where he oversaw the development of the HTVTS.  Lt. Col Teong currently runs Singapore's hazmat program, and has operational responsibility for the HTVTS.  The SCDF is Singapore's homeland security agency and resides within the Ministry of Home Affairs. Robin Duane Littau, Managing Director, of ASTRATA (AsiaPacific) Pte Ltd., also presented.
 
In July 2005, Singapore began operating its HTVTS, the world’s first hazmat transportation security system. The HTVTS is operated by the Singapore CivilDefense Force(SCDF), the government agency responsible for protecting the country from terrorist attacks.  Singapore’s HTVTS provides the SCDF real-time tracking of hazmat trucks carrying high-hazard materials over Singapore’s road system.  In late 2007, the SCDF introduced geo-fencing and vehicle immobilization functionality into its system.
 
This was a tremendous opportunity to hear from two senior government executives that have “hands on” experience in building and operating a sophisticated system to deter terrorist attacks.
 
Dr. Joe Crabtree with the University of Kentucky’s North American Transportation Security Center Project, is hoping to model their project after the Singapore’s Hazmat Transport Vehicle Tracking System (HTVTS). The University of Kentucky, specifically the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) and its partners, will expand upon the work completed under the Hazmat Truck Security Pilot by building a functional prototype of a hazmat truck tracking center. A multi-state implementation program will support development of the hazmat truck tracking center into full operational status. 
 
In the photo below, Lt. Col. Teong How Hwa of the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) explaining the HTVTS.
 

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The task of assuring the security of our homeland involves protecting the citizens of the United States, the nation's critical infrastructure and key assets. This is necessary to sustain the nation's vitality against terrorism and other threats. This protection must originate at the community level. It requires discovering, developing and deploying new technology that will support first responders and key decision makers in local communities.

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NIHS aligns projects and research objectives with the needs and requirements of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The strategy is to manage a distributed research enterprise that effectively transitions research and development into solutions. NIHS works with DHS to determine technology needs at the community level. Then, teams are quickly assembled from multiple universities to develop solutions to the needs.

The Strategy

Through management of the Kentucky Critical Infrastructure Protections Program (KCI), the National Institute for Hometown Security (NIHS) provides an ongoing, integrated program dedicated to developing new technologies and devices. NIHS works through qualified academic institutions to accomplish the technological objectives.